Bi-directional check valves



April 28, 1964 c. G. VINER BI-DIRECTIONAL CHECK VALVES v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1962 GENERATOR INVENTOR. CHARLES G. VINER April 28, 1964 c. VINER 3,130,746

BI-DIRECTIONAL CHECK VALVES Filed May 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 ZIa, 6

25a. 49 64 484 mg 3 1% t 24 ||I III I I l I I m GENERATOR INVENTOR. CHARLES G. VINER United States Patent 3,130,746 Bl-DERECTIONAL CHECK VALVES Charles G. Viner, R0. Box 127, North Woodstock, Conn. Filed May 15, 1962, Ser. No. 194,854 7 Claims. (Cl. 137-458) This invention relates to a valve for use with the intake and exhaust vents for bomb blast and fallout shelters or the like and has particular reference to the provision of a valve which will function to automatically close said vents in response to external pressure which exceeds that of normal atmospheric pressure, in response to an external vacuum and in response to the weight of water which might otherwise gain access to the interior of the shelter through said vents.

It is commonly known that the initial blast of an atomic bomb will create a pressure which greatly exceeds normal air pressure and that subsequent to a blast a terrific vacuum may be created. It is further known that should an atomic blast take place beneath the water, for example, adjacent a shoreline, that an artificial tidal wave might be created and, further, the blast of an atomic bomb may cause a so-called fire storm which will tend to consume oxygen.

All of the above factors might be exceedingly dangerous to the occupants of a fallout shelter even though the shelter itself may afford maximum protection as far as its resistance to collapse and destruction by fire or water is concerned.

It, therefore, is the principal object of this invention to provide valves for the inlet and exhaust vents of such fallout shelters which, with the possible exception of a fire storm, will automatically close in response to any of the above-mentioned conditions thereby affording maximum protection for the occupants against such conditions. In the case of fire storm the said valves may be manually closed and automatically retained in said position.

A further object is to provide valves of the above character which may be adjusted to maintain a neutral position relative to said vents under normal conditions of use.

Another object is to provide adjustable mechanism associated with said valves for initially adjusting and maintaining them at said neutral positions and free to automatically move to closed positions in response to any of the above conditions, except for fire storm, and which will maintain said closed positions throughout the existence of such conditions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a valve structure embodying the invention shown partially in section;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view generally similar to FIG. 1 of a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the various views, the valve structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 while described as being associated with the inlet pipeline or vent 6 is identical with the valve structure for the exhaust vent. The pipeline or vent 6 is threadedly connected at 7 internally of an opening 8 formed in the upper wall 9 of the fallout shelter. Internally of the opening 8 there is press-fitted or otherwise secured a spider 10 through which air may be drawn ice internally of the vent 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow 11.

The spider 10 is provided with a central bearing 12 in which the reduced portion 13 of a vertically disposed shaft 14 is slidably fitted. The shaft 14 is provided with a shouldered portion 15 against which the lower surface 16 of an inverted frusto-conical or cup-shaped valve member 17 is adapted to seat. The adjacent reduced portion 13 of the shaft 14 is provided with an external thread 18 which extends through a central opening 19 in the cup-shaped valve member 17. A nut 20 threaded onto said threaded portion 18 is adapted to secure the valve against displacement from the shoulder 15.

A funnel-shaped housing 21 which tapers downwardly and inwardly surrounds said valve 17 and is provided with a flanged edge 22 secured by bolts or the like 23 to the inner side of the wall 9. The funnel-shaped housing 21 has an integral hollow cylindrical depending portion 24 internally of which is rigidly supported a second spider member 25 having a central bearing 26 therein. The bearing 26 is in axial alignment with the bearing 12 of the spider 10 and slidably receives the shaft 14. The lower end of the cylindrical depending portion 24 is provided with a flange 27 to which is secured an air intake fan 28, of any known conventional motor driven type, for drawing air inwardly of the vent 6 through the respective spiders 10 and 25 internally of the fallout shelter. The intake fan is provided with flanged portions 29 which are secured to the flange 27 by bolts or the like 30. The upper edge 31 of the cup-shaped valve member 17 is beaded and is adapted to receive a sealing ring 32 formed of suitable material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, neoprene, or other similar materials. The sealing ring is annular in form having a circumferential groove therein which is smaller in cross-section than the cross-section of the bead. The sealing ring is adapted to be snapped over the upper beaded edge 31 of the valve and is retained in position thereon by a self-clamping action resulting from the tendency of said material to return to its initial set after having been placed on the bead.

The sealing ring 32 has an upwardly disposed annular edge 34 adapted to assume a sealed contact with the inner surface 35 of the wall 9 when the valve is moved and held in an upward position. The said sealing ring 32 further has a downwardly disposed annular edge 36 adapted to make a sealed contact with the inner surface 37 of the conical housing 21 when the valve is moved and held in its lowermost position as shown by the dot and dash lines 38. It is to be understood that the flange portion 22 is sealed with the inner surface of the wall 9 by a suitable gasket 39 to prevent any leakage therethrough. The lower end of the shaft 14 is provided with an enlarged portion 40 having a lower flat surface 41. The lower surface 41 is adapted to be engaged by a roller 42 pivotally connected at 43 to the adjacent end of a lever 44. The lever 44 extends through a suitable slot 45 in the adjacent side wall of the cylindrical depending portion 24 and is, in turn, pivotally connected at 46 to spaced fingers 47, one on each side of the slot 45, and which are carried by the adjacent side of the cylindrical depending portion 24. The lever 44 has an outwardly extending rod portion 48 on which a weight 49 is adjustably mounted. The weight may be secured in adjusted position on the rod portion 48 by a set screw or the like 51).

On the side of one of said fingers 47 there is mounted a bracket 51 having a toothed surface 52 adapted to receive a similar toothed surface 53 of a member 54 carrying a two-pole magnet 55 wherein the poles of said magnet are spaced in a direction normal to the pivotal movement of the lever 44 about its pivot 46. A similar magnet 56 having spaced poles is secured to the rod portion 48 in adjacent spaced relation with the magnet 55 by a bolt or the like 57.

A similar bolt 53 secures the magnet 55 to the support 54. The respective bolts 57 and 58 have head portions located intermediate the respective poles of the magnets. A bolt 59 secures the toothed surfaces 52 and 53 in engaging relation with each other and provides means whereby the magnets may be adjusted to different desired spaced relation with each other.

It is to be understood that the magnets 55 and 56 are provided with the so-called north and south poles and are so positioned relative to each other than when the valve member 17 is in neutral position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 1, the respective north and south poles of the mag nets are in north-to-south relation with each other whereby the said magnets will have an attractive holding action.

The adjacent side of the cylindrical depending portion 24 is further provided with a bracket 66 which supports a microswitch of conventional type s1. The microswitch 61 is connected by a lead wire 62 to one side of a conventional generator which, in turn, is connected through suitable means 63 to the motor of the intake fan 28. The motor is, in turn, connected by a suitable lead wire 65 to the microswitch 61. When the microswitch 61 closes the circuit to the generator and the generator is, in turn, operated it causes the intake fan to rotate at a given controlled speed to draw air in through the intake vent 6 internally of the fallout shelter. The rod portion 48 is provided with a bar 66 which is pivotally connected at its lower end 67 to said rod portion 48 and which is provided with spaced engagement members 68 and 69, respectively, which are adapted to trip a switching lever 7% connected with the microswitch 61 when said rod portion 48 is moved either in an upward or downward direction.

This is to cause the switch to open in response to said upward or downward movement of the rod 48 to deenergize the generator and motor of the fan and thereby stop the fan. However, when the switch lever 70 is in its intermediate position, the microswitch 61 will be closed and will thereby electrically connnect the generator with the motor of the fan and will, in turn, cause the intake fan to operate.

It is to be understood that while only the intake valve mechanism has been defined in association with the inlet vent that a similar valve mechanism is provided in relation with the exhaust. The exhaust vent operates in a similar manner with the exception that air is being forced outwardly of said vent by internal pressure created by the intake fan and the weight must, therefore, be adjusted to compensate for this outflow of air.

The function of the device is as follows: The generator is normally operated to energize the motor of the intake fan to cause the fan to draw a desired amount of air inwardly of the inlet vent 6 and to simultaneously cause air to be forced outwardly of the exhaust vent. This provides a constant proper circulation of fresh air through the fallout shelter.

The weight 49 is adjusted longitudinally of the rod portion 48 to a position whereby, when released, the lever 44 will hold the valve 17 normally in neutral position for proper circulation. When at this position the lever 44 and rod portion 48 are substantially horizontally disposed and the north and south poles of the respective magnets 55 and 56 are in aligned relation with each other, as shown best in FIG. 2, whereby the said magnets will have an attractive action and will function cooperatively with the adjusted position of the weight 49 to initially hold the valve member 17 in said neutral position. This adjustment is made against the draft of the intake air. Should an atom blast occur which produces an external pressure forcing air in a downward direction even to an extent of two or more pounds in excess of the internal pressure defined above, the valve 17 will automatically move to a downward position such as illustrated by the dot and dash lines 38 in FIG. 1 to thereby seal off external air from entering through the spider 25 into the fallout shelter. Downward movement of the valve 17 causes the end of the lever 44 to rock to a downward direction whereby the respective poles of the magnets 55 and 56 will be moved into disaligned relation with each other. This causes the respective south poles and/ or north poles of the magnets to be moved into aligned relation with each other and will introduce opposing forces tending to retain said magnets in said disassociated relation with each other, that is, it will introduce forces which are in opposition to the normal pulling forces of said magnets. T his tends to retain the valve 17 in a downward sealed relation with the internal surface of the funnel-shaped member 21, as shown at 37. This action will thereby provide maximum protection for the occupants.

Should a vacuum be created following the blast, the valve 17 will be automatically raised to an upward position and will be moved into sealed relation with the inner surface 35 of the wall 9. It will be retained in said relation by said magnets as the result of their being moved in the opposite direction and the respective north and south poles being disassociated as specified above and acting in opposition with each other.

Should water enter said inlet or exhaust vents as a result of an artificial tidal wave, as defined above, said water will accumulate in the cup-shaped valve 17 and will weight the valve sufficiently to cause it to move to a downward sealing position and will be held in said position by the disassociation of the poles of the magnets as defined above.

If it is desired to reset the valves, water may be drained outwardly of the funnel-shaped member 21 by removing a plug such as shown at 75 whereby it will drain outwardly of said funnel-shaped member above the valve member 17 and the remaining water may be thereafter siphoned out by inserting a small tubular member through said plug opening and drawing the same outwardly of the cup-shaped valve 17.

The valve may thereafter be set in normal neutral position by again manually adjusting the weight 49.

It is to be understood that during any of the above movements of the valve 17 and the inherent movement of the lever 44 the microswitch will be tripped to open the circuit of the generator to the fan motor and stop the fan.

However, when resetting the valve mechanism, the switch lever 70 is moved to an intermediate position wherein it will close the switch 21 and cause the generator to energize the intake fan motor and in turn rotate the fan.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein there is shown a modification of the invention, the basic construction of the valve member and associated parts thereof are generally similar to those of the constructions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in the present instance there is positioned between the spider Ida and the inner side of the cup-like valve member 17a, a light coil spring 77 which is in surrounding relation with the reduced portion 13a of the vertically disposed shaft 140. The spring 77 normally tends to force the valve 17a in a downward direction. Beneath the valve 17a and engaging the lower surface 16a thereof, there is a second coil spring 78 in surrounding relation with the shaft 14a and which has its opposed ends engaging the bottom surface 16a of the valve 17a and the upper surface of the spider 25a. The spring 78 tends to force the valve in an upward direction in opposition to the spring 77. The spring 77 is made to respond to over or above 2" vacuum which might be drawn in an upward direction through the vent pipe 6a while the spring 78 is made to respond to over and above 2 lbs. pressure which might be directed inwardly of the vent pipe M.

It is to be noted, however, that the intake fan 28a, when operating, tends to create a down draft inwardly of the vent pipe 6a and the weight 49a, therefore, must be adjusted to compensate for said down draft and to a position on the rod portion 48a wherein it will normally support the valve 17a in a neutral position such as shown in full lines in FIG. 3 in a manner similar to the weight 49 of the construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The operation of the device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 otherwise is generally similar to that of the constructions of FIGS. 1 and 2.

It is to be understood that while the conical housing 21 and 21a have been described as being secured to the upper wall 9 and 9a, respectively, of the fallout shelter that they may be secured to a separate plate member which can, in turn, be secured to the upper wall of the fallout shelter. It is further to be understood that the circuitry of the microswitch 61a, leads 62a, 63a and 65a from said microswitch to the generator and to the motor of the intake fan 28a all function in a manner similar to the respective parts of the devices of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The upper wall 9 and 9a, respectively, combined with the funnel-shaped housing 21 and 210, respectively, form a chamber in which the valves 17 and 1701, respectively, are housed. The inner surface 35 and 35a, respectively, provide one of the valve seats while the inner surfaces 37 and 37a, respectively, form another of the valve seats for said valve members 17 and 17a. This arrangement provides means for closing off passage of air through the vents 6 and 6a, respectively, and through the cylindrical depending portions 24 and 24a, respectively, and thereby provides means for causing said valves to respond to air pressure directed inwardly of the respective vents 6 and 6a, to vacuum drawn outwardly of said respective vents 6 and 6a and to the pressure of water which may enter the respective vents 6 and 60, as has been previously described.

It is further to be understood that while applicant has directed his disclosure particularly to the valve mechanism associated with the intake vent that similar valve arrangements are employed in the exhaust vent.

It is further to be understood that the valve 17a is provided with an upper beaded edge 31a onto which a sealing ring 32a similar to the sealing ring 32 is positioned. The sealing ring 32a is otherwise similar to the sealing ring 32 and is constructed to function in a similar manner.

While the valves defined herein have been described for use with a fallout or bomb blast shelter, it is to be understood that they can be used in any installation requiring such valves, for example, ships ventilators, gun turrets or the like where protection against blasts would be extremely beneficial.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that simple, efficient and economical means have been provided for accomplishing all of the objects and advantages of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the devices as shown and described are given only by way of illustration and that certain modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A valve construction of the character described comprising an open chamber having an upper wall portion and a lower downwardly and inwardly tapering funnelshaped portion having outer edges in sealed relation with each other and having substantially vertically disposed passageways extending therethrough, an upwardly opening cup-shaped valve member aligned with one of said passageways and having a substantially horizontally disposed upper edge portion, said valve member being slidably supported internally of said chamber for movement toward and away from selected areas of said respective wall portions, said cup-shaped member having resilient means secured to the upper edge thereof and being so constructed as to have spaced annular edges, one being adapted to assume a sealed relation with the inner surface of said upper wall portion and the other to assume a sealed relation with the inner surface of the funnelshaped portion to open or close said passageways depending upon the position of said valve member with respect to said wall portions.

2. A valve member of the character described comprising an upper wall portion, a downwardly disposed funnel-shaped member having its upper peripheral edge secured in seaied relation with said wall portion, said wall portion and said funnel-shaped portion having aligned passageways extending therethrough, spider members secured in said respective passageways and having aligned bearings therein, a shaft extending through said hearings in sliding relation therewith, a valve member mounted on said shaft and having a resilient edge portion adapted to be moved into sealed relation with the inner surface of the upper Wall portion and to a position in sealed relation with the inner surface of the funnel-shaped portion, a lever pivotally supported with respect to said funnelshaped member and having an end portion adapted to engage the lower end of said shaft and having an adjustable weight on the opposite end portion thereof.

3. A valve member of the character described comprising an upper wall portion, a downwardly disposed funnel-shaped member having its upper peripheral edge secured in sealed relation with said wall portion, said wall portion and said funnel-shaped portion having aligned passageways extending therethrough, spider members secured in said respective passageways and having aligned bearings therein, a shaft extending through said bearings in sliding relation therewith, a cup-shaped valve member mounted on said shaft and having an annular edge portion adapted to be moved in sealed relation with the inner surface of the upper Wall portion and to a position in sealed relation with the inner surface of the funnel-shaped portion, a lever pivotally supported with respect to said funnel-shaped member and having an end portion adapted to engage the lower end of said shaft and having an adjustable weight on the opposite end portion thereof, a first magnet carried by said lever and a second magnet mounted on said funnel-shaped portion and adapted to be aligned with said first magnet so as to have attractive forces with each other when the lever is positioned to support the valve member in neutral position relative to said inner surfaces of said wall and funnelshaped portions and adapted to be displaced relative to each other and to have repelling forces with respect to each other when the valve is moved into engaging relation with either of said inner surfaces of said wall and funnel-shaped portions.

4. A valve member of the character described comprising an upper wall portion, a downwardly disposed funnel-shaped member having its upper peripheral edge secured in sealed relation with said wall portion, said wall portion and said funnel-shaped portion having aligned passageways extending therethrough, spider members secured in said respective passageways and having aligned bearings therein, a shaft extending through said bearings in sliding relation therewith, a cup-shaped valve member mounted on said shaft and having an annular beaded edge, an annular sealing ring having a circumferential groove fitted over said beaded edge and adapted to be moved into sealed relation with the inner surface of the upper wall portion and to a position in sealed relation with the inner surface of the funnel-shaped portion, a lever pivotally supported with respect to said funnelshaped member and having an end portion adapted to engage the lower end of said shaft and having an adjustable weight on the opposite end portion thereof.

5. A valve member of the character described comprising an upper wall portion, a downwardly disposed funnel-shaped portion having its upper peripheral edge secured in sealed relation with said wall portion, said wall portion and said funnel-shaped portion having aligned passageways extending therethrough, spider members secured in said respective passageways and having aligned bearings therein, a shaft extending through said bearings in sliding relation therewith, a valve member mounted on said shaft and having a resilient edge portion adapted to be moved into sealed relation with the inner surface of the upper wall portion and to a position in sealed relation with the inner surface of the funnel-shaped portion, a lever pivotally supported with respect to said funnelshaped portion and having an end portion adapted to engage the lower end of said shaft and having an adjustable weight on the opposite end portion thereof, a first magnet carried by said lever and a second magnet mounted on said funnel-shaped portion and adapted to be aligned with said first magnet so as to have attractive forces with each other when the lever is positioned to support the valve member in neutral position relative to said inner surfaces of said wall and funnel-shaped portions and adapted to be displaced relative to each other and to have repelling forces with respect to each other when the valve is moved into engaging relation with either of said inner surfaces of said Wall and funnel-shaped portions.

6. A valve member of the character described comprising an upper wall portion, a downwardly disposed funnel-shaped portion having its upper peripheral edge secured in sealed relation with said wall portion, said wall portion and said funnel-shaped portion having aligned passageways extending therethrough, spider members secured in said respective passageways and having aligned bearings therein, a shaft extending through said bearings in sliding relation therewith, a cup-shaped valve member mounted on said shaft and having an annular beaded edge, an annular sealing ring having a circumferential groove fitted over said beaded edge and adapted to be moved into sealed relation with the inner surface of the upper wall portion and to a position in sealed relation with the inner surface of the funnel-shaped portion, a lever pivotally supported with respect to said funnelshaped portion and having an end portion adapted to engage the lower end of said shaft and having an adjustable weight on the opposite end portion thereof, a first magnet carried by said lever and a second magnet mounted on said funnel-shaped portion and adapted to be aligned with said first magnet so as to have attractive forces with each other when the lever is positioned to support the valve member in neutral position relative to said inner surfaces of said wall and funnel-shaped portions and adapted to be displaced relative to each other and to have repelling forces with respect to each other when the valve is moved into engaging relation with either of said inner surfaces of said Wall and funnel-shaped portions.

7. A valve member of the character described comprising an upper Wall portion, a downwardly disposed funnel-shaped portion having its upper peripheral edge secured in sealed relation with said wall portion, said wall portion and said funnel-shaped portion having aligned passageways extending therethrough, spider members secured in said respective passageways and having aligned bearings therein, a shaft extending through said bearings in sliding relation therewith, a cup-shaped valve member mounted on said shaft and having an annular edge portion adapted to be moved in sealed relation with the inner surface of the upper wall portion and to a position in sealed relation with the inner surface of the funnelshaped portion, a coil spring on said shaft above the cupshaped valve, a coil spring on said shaft beneath the cupshaped valve both acting in controlled opposition to each other, a lever pivotally supported with respect to said funnel-shaped portion and having an end portion adapted to engage the lower end of said shaft and having an adjustable weight on the opposite end portion thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 365,945 Smith July 5, 1887 874,466 Weinland Dec. 24, 1907 1,956,010 Deischer Apr. 24, 1934 2,609,669 Eddy Sept. 9, 1952 2,911,995 Preising Nov. 10, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 426,321 France Apr. 29, 1911 

1. A VALVE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING AN OPEN CHAMBER HAVING AN UPPER WALL PORTION AND A LOWER DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY TAPERING FUNNELSHAPED PORTION HAVING OUTER EDGES IN SEALED RELATION WITH EACH OTHER AND HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED PASSAGEWAYS EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, AN UPWARDLY OPENING CUP-SHAPED VALVE MEMBER ALIGNED WITH ONE OF SAID PASSAGEWAYS AND HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED UPPER EDGE PORTION, SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING SLIDABLY SUPPORTED INTERNALLY OF SAID CHAMBER FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SELECTED AREAS OF SAID RESPECTIVE WALL PORTIONS, SAID CUP-SHAPED MEMBER HAVING RESILIENT MEANS SECURED TO THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF AND BEING SO 